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Chain Drives PDF
Chain Drives PDF
Chain damage occurs if the chain is too tight or too slack and the result is fatigue
cracking of the links. If the tension is too tight, then this adds to the working stress of
the chain. Insufficient tension leads to 'slap' with resultant damage to chain and
rubbing strips. Vertical misalignment of the sprockets means rubbing at the side
plates resulting in reduction of thickness and possible failure.
Chain stretch and hence reduction in tension can be accounted for by movement of
a tensioning wheel. The tension usually being checked by movement to and fro at
the centre of the longest free length.
The simplest method is to break the old chain and attach the new chain to it. The
engine is then turned and as the old chain is paid off, the new chain can be paid in.
This maintains approximately the correct timing, the tension of the chain can then be
set.
The cam drive is adjustable and can be slackened off, by hydraulic means on large
modern engines, the section of cams can then be turned relative to the crankshaft
angle and the timing restored.
The chains are lubricated by the injection of a jey of oil between the chain wheels
and the chain rollers just before the rollers are about to engage the wheel. Thereby
an oil cushion is formed to dampen the impact
A question asked by an examiner was to explain the polygon of forces with respect
to chain drive. This refers to the forces acting on the chain links as they pass over the
chain wheel
Some of these forces are; Bending moment on the link as it travels around the
sprocket
Stress changes on the link as it passes from the driving side to the driven
Tensioning of the chain dependent on the number of links between the sprockets
varying i.e. related to the pitch